Winter Winds Let the Good Times Roll at State Finals

On Saturday morning, March 23rd, the students in Winter Winds gathered for their last morning practice of the season to polish off their show prior to leaving for the Indiana Percussion Association’s Winds State Finals competition at Avon High School in Avon, IN. They had a great practice and made some last minute updates to the show. They helped pack up and load the trailers for the last time this season. They were served lunch of Pizza Hut pizza, breadsticks and salad from Ziano’s, and desserts. They had a nice lunch together and were ready to head to State Finals. Before heading out to the bus, the students received goodie bags made by many of the parents, filled with all kinds of good things. Keeping with the theme, there were several New Orleans and Mardi Gras items. Some of the goodies included: 2 keepsake tarot cards with the season’s theme and the same images as the tarot card props printed onto the back; a 4x6 photo magnet of the entire group, playing cards, a personalized Mardi Gras gnome ornament, a Mardi Gras rubber duck with beads and a mask matching each of the student’s uniform shirt; a fleur-de-lis personalized cookie, a pack of playing cards, a squishy stress ball, Slim Jim’s, neon light-up sunglasses, Mardi Gras buttons, bracelets, and stickers, Sour Patch Kids, Rolos, Laffy Taffy, Starburst, chocolate coins, dark chocolate Hersey kisses, and a bag of Zapp’s New Orleans Kettle Style potato chips. They all seemed to enjoy their goodie bags and several decided to play cards together on the bus ride and bet with Sour Patch Kids!

Last rehearsal of the season

The look on Elijah's face was priceless!

Showcasing the goodies!

Cards on the bus, betting with Sour Patch Kids!

After loading the bus, they made the drive to Avon High School in Avon, IN. The bus ended up having to drive all around the school for quite some time, and the students were ready to get out of the bus, some feeling a little queasy. Soon, it was time to unload the trailer and get ready to head off to warmups! The students were excited and staff did a great job of pumping them up and getting them ready for their last performance. Earlier in the morning at Woodlan, some of the tarot card prop lights that had not been working the night before were all changed out with new lights so that all 5 tarot card props would be ready to go and look their best for the Finals performance. The tarot card props were packed with extra care this week and padded with moving blankets to ensure they did not get damaged on the commute to Avon. Unfortunately, upon arriving at warm ups, the pit crew quickly realized that EVERY SINGLE tarot card’s lights were damaged and not one of them had a full working set of lights. The pit crew quickly pulled together and scrambled to replace broken lights with new sets of lights that were brought as backups. There were not enough lights to replace all 5 card’s lights, as 2 had been changed out that morning before the commute. The pit crew hustled and got three tarot cards fully lit just as it was time to head the performance. It wasn’t ideal, but it was something!

Warm ups at State Finals

"Every single set of lights is broken?!?"

Teamwork got the job done with three sets of lights working, representing the three colors of Mardi Gras.

Last minute pep talk by Spellman.

Some students were worried about the props, but they were quickly reminded that the show and the performance were about THEM, not the props, and they would be amazing! And they were! Each student brought their best performance and talent, and the show was fantastic! The crowd enthusiastically cheered for the group, and they had an amazing run! Most students walked off the floor with smiles across their faces for an amazing job well done. By the time they pushed the equipment and instruments out to the trailer, many gathered for hugs and shared tears as the realization hit that they were now done with this show, and the seniors had performed for the last time with the group. They shared some amazing cookies and snacks and headed back inside to watch the rest of the groups perform.

The awesome team of staff: Derick Herschberger, Becca Barker, Sean Burton, Nathan Spellman, Joe Jungk, Brendan Maska, and Olivia Lake

Spellman addressing the group

At the Awards Ceremony, each group participated in a Full Retreat of all members, led by the seniors in front of each group. Many were hopeful that Woodlan could break into the top 4 at the Awards Ceremony, but were satisfied nonetheless when Woodlan was announced in 5th Place. The placements were the exact same as Prelims:

1.       Kokomo Indoor Winds

2.       Ben Davis Winter Winds

3.       Warren Central Winds

4.       Lake Central Winds

5.       Woodlan Winter Winds

6.       Washington Winds

7.       Clay City Indoor Winds

The students gathered on the floor afterwards for photos together and celebrated their season. Yes, they would have been thrilled to break into the top 4, but they all celebrated the fact that they had a really fantastic season. Staff told them that they were the group that had made the most improvements and greatest jumps in scores from week to week, and they were able to compete with bands from much bigger schools and represented Woodlan so well! Not only did they grow as musicians and performers, but they had a very fun show with fantastic music that the crowd enjoyed and appreciated all the talent these students displayed. It was a wonderful season and many parents and students agreed that it was one of the best seasons they’ve had to date. It was a long bus ride home after the Award Ceremony, but many enjoyed the time together and felt content with how this season ended. The students, staff, and parents will gather in a few weeks to celebrate the season with a banquet/bonfire as they have in the past. More details will be coming soon! 

The Full Retreat at the Awards Ceremony

Braedon Miller accepting the 5th place plaque for Woodlan

Great students, great staff, and a great season!

2024 Seniors at their last competition: Calvin Brown (Heritage), Ean Schindler, Bella Harber, Braedon Miller, Rogan Thiele, Alex Raby, and Joe Coomer

Having some fun with the neon glasses on the ride home!

As the Winter students can now take a break from all of their rehearsals, most will not be able to get too comfy, as Marching Band practices will begin just after Spring Break! We are all excited to see what is in store next for the Spirit of Woodlan. Stay tuned!